Toy laser gun and laser target system

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a toy gun capable of transmitting a laser beam and/or an infrared (“IR”) beam of light for use in a game. The toy gun also has a detector for detecting a laser and IR signal. A controller within the gun tracks the number of shots tired, the type of light beam fired, the number of hits received by other guns, and permits the user to alternate between firing an IR beam or laser beam. The toy gun also has unique features available through the use of lasers, including detecting the distance to a target. The present invention further relates to an interactive electronic targeting system for use with a toy laser gun. The targeting system includes an electronic multicolored backlit board with light detecting sensors positioned within the hoard. The targeting system is programmed with multiple interactive games for use with a toy gun.

PRIORITY claim

This is a Divisional application of U.S. NonProvisional patentapplication Ser. No. 12/006,816, filed on Jan. 3, 2008, entitled, “ToyLaser Gun and Laser Target System”, which is a NonProvisional PatentApplication of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/878,930, filedon Jan. 4, 2007, entitled, “Toy Laser Gun Targeting System,” and U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 60/878,931, filed on Jan. 4, 2007,entitled, “Laser and Infrared Transmitting Gun.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of simulated projectile gunsand, more specifically, to a toy gun capable of transmitting a laser andinfrared signal for use in a game and corresponding moving andstationary targeting systems for use with the toy gun.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a toy gun capable of firing a laserbeam and an infrared (“IR”) beam of light for use in a game. The toy gunalso has a detector for detecting a laser and IR signal. A controllerwithin the gun tracks the number of shots fired, the type of light beamfired, the number of hits received by other guns, and permits the userto alternate between firing an IR beam or laser beam. The toy gun alsohas unique features available through the use of lasers, includingdetecting the distance to a target. Additionally, the laser beam isoptionally made to pass through a special lens in the to gun toaccommodate multiple skill levels of play. The toy gun also comprises amultifunction scope for aiding a user in accurately firing the toy gun.A variety of grip, barrel, and gun stabilizing attachments have alsobeen contemplated.

The present invention further relates to an electronic targeting systemfor use with a toy laser gun. The targeting system includes anelectronic multicolored backlit board with numerous laserlight detectingsensors positioned within the board. The targeting system is programmedwith multiple games that a user can play with a laseremitting toy gun.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will beapparent from the following detailed descriptions of the disclosedaspects of the invention in conjunction with reference to the followingdrawings, where:

FIG. 1 is a sideview illustration of one embodiment of a toy gunaccording to the present invention, depicting a toy gun body, a trigger,a first barrel for transmitting an infrared (“IR”) signal, and a secondbarrel for transmitting a laser signal;

FIG. 2 is a perspectiveview illustration of one embodiment of the toygun, depicting a scope, shoulder stock, support legs, and barrel;

FIG. 3 is at enhanced view of the scope with multiple viewing modes;

FIG. 4 is an enhanced, top, perspectiveview illustration of the toy gun,depicting the toy gun equipped with a user interface;

FIG. 5 is a sideview illustration of the toy gun barrel and collapsed,support legs; and

FIG. 6 is a frontview illustration of one embodiment of an electronictargeting system, depicting, a target surface, a target base, a displayscreen, and a series of game mode buttons.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a toy gun capable of transmitting alaser beam and an infrared (“IR”) beam of light for use in a game. Thetoy gun also has detectors for detecting a laser and IR signal. Aprocessor within the gun tracks the number of shots fired, the number ofhits received by other guns, and permits the user to alternate betweenfiring an IR or laser beam. Additionally, the laser beam passes througha special lens in the toy gun designed to modify the beam for differentskill levels of play. The toy gun also comprises a multifunction scopefor aiding a user in playing the game. The following description, takenin conjunction with the referenced drawings, is presented to enable oneof ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and toincorporate it in the context of particular applications.

The present invention relates to an electronic targeting system for usewith a toy laser gun. The targeting system includes an electronic,multicolored backlit board with numerous laserlight detecting sensorspositioned within the board. The targeting system is programmed withmultiple games that a user can play with a laseremitting toy gun. Thefollowing description, taken in conjunction with the referenceddrawings, is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art tomake and use the invention and to incorporate it in the context ofparticular applications. Various modifications, as well as a variety ofuses in different applications, will be readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art, and the general principles, defined herein, may beapplied to a wide range of embodiments. Thus, the present invention isnot intended to be limited to the embodiments presented, but is to beaccorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novelfeatures disclosed herein. Furthermore, it should be noted that unlessexplicitly stated otherwise, the figures included herein are illustrateddiagrammatically and without any specific scale, as they are provided asqualitative illustrations of the concept of the present invention.

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the presentinvention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art thatthe present invention may be practiced without necessarily being limitedto these specific details. In other instances, wellknown structures anddevices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in orderto avoid obscuring the present invention.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents that arefiled concurrently with this specification and are open to publicinspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papersand documents are incorporated herein by reference. All the featuresdisclosed in this specification, (including any accompanying claims,abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features servingthe same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly statedotherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each featuredisclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent orsimilar features.

Furthermore, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state“means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing aspecific function, is not to he interpreted as a “means” or “step”clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. Section 160. Paragraph 6. Inparticular, the use of “step of” or “act of” in the claims herein is notintended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 160, Paragraph 6.

(1) Introduction

Referring to FIG. 1, a toy gun 100 is illustrated equipped with a gunbody 110, where the gun body 110 includes a handle 120 and a barrel 130.The toy gun 100 has dualmode capability with the unique ability to fireboth an infrared (“IR”) light beam as well as a laser beam from the sametoy gun 100. Located within the confines of the handle 120 is a trigger140 for firing either a laser beam or an IR beam.

In order to transmit a laser beam, the gun body 110 is equipped with alaser generator. In one nonlimiting example, the laser beam isdistributed out of the toy gun 100 through a laser beam emitting barrel150. In the case of an IR beam, the toy gun 100 is also equipped withsuitable circuitry in order to transmit the IR beam. As is the case withthe laser beam an IR beam is also distributed from the toy gun 100 viaan IR beam barrel 160.

The toy gun 100 further includes a reload mechanism (e.g., reload button170) which the user must periodically activate once a predeterminedamount of laser beams have been fired. The reload button 170 simulatesthe realism of user versus user combat in which the toy gun 100 runs outof available laser beams after a predetermined amount of activations.The appearance of the reload button 170 may take on a variety of forms,one such nonlimiting example includes a boltaction mechanism which mustbe manually pulled back in order to reload the gun for further use. Thenumber of laser beams emitted is monitored by a controller. Thecontroller may include a counter module in software or gates which trackthe number of laser beams emitted (or the number of laser beam pulses).An activation of the reload button 170 sends a signal to the controllerwhich resets the count.

At any time the toy gun 100 may be toggled between a pure laser beammode, IR beam mode, and a combination of the two by adjusting theposition of a beam switch 180. Optionally the toy gun 100 may also beconfigured with outofthebox functionality which would enable thesimultaneous use of both the IR beam and the laser beam. In someinstances, the outofthebox functionality may eliminate the need for abeam switch 180.

The area of the laser beam may be expanded such that a larger areaincreases the chances of hitting an opponent with any given shot. Thismay be accomplished by providing a PRO/BEGINNER switch 190 on the rightside of the toy gun 100. The PRO/BEGINNER switch 190 is any suitableswitching mechanism to allow a user to selectively change modes, anonlimiting example of which includes a sliding switch. A PRO mode maybe selected by sliding the PRO/BEGINNER switch 190 to a forward position(in the example of a sliding switch), thereby reducing the area of theemitted laser beam and increasing the difficulty of hitting a target.Conversely, the emitted laser beam area may also be reduced by adjustingthe PRO/BEGINNER switch 190 to a rear position, thereby increasing thedifficulty of hitting an opponent with any given shot. The PRO/BEGINNERswitch 190 allows a user to alternate between modes to enhance thegaming feature for users of varying aptitude.

The body 110 of the toy gun may include a controller, processor, orlogic circuitry. The controller has the capability to provide the userwith multiple additional features, such as tracking the number of shotsmade, the number of hits received on the IR and laser receivers, andtracking other game play features. The controller could also use thelaser light beam to determine the distance to a target, helping a userdetermine which kind of light beam to shoot with. In one embodiment, thecontroller is an integrated circuit (“IC”) chip or processor that isprogrammable with certain functions required for the toy gun tofunction.

(2) IR and Laser Features

Referring to FIG. 2, an alternative embodiment of the toy laser gun 200is shown. Due to the physical properties of IR light and laser light,the gun body 202 may be equipped with separate barrels (i.e., an IRbarrel 204 and a laser beam barrel 206) specially adapted totransmitting the two types of light. Emitted IR light disperses quicklyonce generated. An unfocused IR beam of light quickly disperses, greatlyincreasing the ease of hitting a target. The light disperses so quicklythat a user could merely fire the gun somewhere within the generalproximity of a target with a high probability of success. In order tomitigate the dispersion of the IR beam, the IR barrel 204 of the toy gun200 is configured to focus the IR beam. A focused IR beam thereforeenhances the realism of the simulated game. In contrast with IR light,laser light is characteristically more narrowly focused and able totravel great distances with minimal amounts of beam spread. The laserbeam barrel 206 is therefore designed with a special lens 208 whichspreads the laser beam out to make it easier to hit a target. In otherwords, the lens 208 is positioned and used to modify (expand and/orreduce) the beam width.

The unique properties of laser light and IR light greatly enhance thegaming features of a toy gun 200. The IR beam can easily hit targets atdose range and does not require great accuracy in aiming the toy gun.The IR beam has a limited distance in which it is effective, as the IRbeam spreads the strength of the beam and diminishes to the point wherethe beam cannot be detected by an IR receiver. Therefore, the laser beamis ideal for hitting targets at long range with great accuracy. Thecombination of both the IR beam and laser beam on a toy gun 200 providesa user with greater accuracy and ability to hit a target, regardless ofthe distance.

The toy gun 200 can also be equipped with an IR sensor to register“hits” from another toy gun, as is the case during game play. Similarly,the toy gun 200 may also be equipped with a laser sensor as well inorder to register hits from other toy guns transmitting laser signals.In another aspect, users with toy guns 200 emitting similarly codedlaser signals can wear vests equipped with laser and IR sensors capableof register hits. The vests may be configured to communicate with thetoy gun 200 in order to enhance simulated combat amongst two or moreusers. Nonlimiting examples of gaming features include disabling auser's gun upon a predetermined number of registered hits, tracking thenumber of registered hits from each user, as well as tracking thelocation of registered hits.

A controller within the body 202 of the toy gun 200 functions to controlthe generation of the IR and laser beam signals upon depression of thetrigger 210. If a beam switch 212 is present on the gun body 202, a usermay manually switch between IR and laser functionality. The beam switch212 may also be connected to the controller. In this way, the positionof the beam switch 212 may be monitored by the controller and sent as avisual reference to a visual display.

The lens 208 formed in the laser beam barrel 206 helps to spread thelaser beam out to create a beam width that is acceptable for game play.For increased enjoyment, the lens 208 may also be modified such that alaser emitted from the barrel 206 may be formed into a unique pattern orunique shape. The user could then use the unique pattern or unique shapeas a visual reference when aiming at a target. In another aspect, thetoy gun 200 may be adapted with multiple lenses with unique patterns andbeam widths. The lens 208 may be included in the gun body 202 and can berotated into the laser beam barrel 206 as desired.

The toy gun 200 may also include a number of attachments to enhance thegaming features of the toy gun 200. The attachments may be permanentlyor detachably attached to the gun body 202. Nonlimiting examples ofsuitable attachments include a scope 214, a shoulder stock 216, andsupport legs 218.

A scope 214 can be adapted with any number of lenses 220 or screens 222and 224 to simulate the functionality and features of a real scope. Forexample, a magnification lens 220 may be adapted to augment or magnifyany target viewed through a viewfinder 226 connected with the scope 214.Similarly, a number of screens 220 and 222 may be adapted with traces,such as a cross hair or body outline, which a user may use as areference to lineup a target through the viewfinder 226. The user mayrotate through the lens 220 and screens 222 and 224 by rotating a switch228 until the appropriate lens 220 or screen 222 and 224 has beenselected and is aligned with the viewfinder 226.

(3) Attachments and Assembly

(3.1) Scope

A scope 214 may be mounted on an upper surface of the toy gun 200. Thescope 214 is permanently or, in some aspects, detachably attached to thegun body 202. Referring to FIG. 3, an enhanced view of the scope 300 isshown. The scope 300 is equipped with multiple viewing modes. Each ofthe modes may be selected and adjusted by rotating a bezel 310,effectively rotating each of the specialized lenses 320 and 320′. As analternative to the bezel 310, a switch 330 (or handle) may also be usedto rotate the specialized lenses 320 and 320′. Each of the specializedlenses 320 and 320′ are used to augment game play. The specialized lens320 and 320′ when viewed through the viewfinder 340 places a pattern inthe user's field of view. Nonlimiting examples of specialized lenses 320and 320′ include a normal mode, a magnifying mode, and a crosshairsmode. Each of the views may be refined or brought into focus byadjusting the focusing ring 350.

When detachably attachable, the slide rails 360 of the scope 300 help toensure a smooth and stable connection to the toy gun. The scope 300 isattached to the toy gun by sliding the slide rails 360 ontocorresponding slide rails found on the top of the toy gun. With thescope 300 pushed as far forward as possible, the scope 300 may beconfigured with a notch 370. Once positioned, the notch may beconfigured to emit an audible alert such as a click, thereby alertingthe user that the scope 300 has been secured to the toy gun. To removethe scope 300, the user can pull the scope 300 firmly backwards. Thescope 300 will slide back off of the gun via the slide rails 360.

An enhanced, top, perspectiveview of the toy gun 400 is shown in FIG. 4.The top of the scope is equipped with a visual user interface, anonlimiting example of which includes a liquid crystal display (LCD)410. Although shown on the top of the toy gun 400, an LCD 410 or othersuitable visual reference cue or device may be placed on any suitablesurface of the gun. Typically, data gathered by the controller isdisplayed on the LCD 410 display screen. A LCD may also be used to alerta user to important statistics during and after a game. A MODE 420 iconmay be used to indicate which of the firing modes has been selected. Anarrow 430 (or other suitable indicator) may provide a visual referenceto the mode that has been selected. The words AUTO or SINGLE SHOT (orother suitable mode visuals) may also be selectively illuminated toindicate the activation 440 of a particular firing mode. Similarly, theremaining amount of laser beams which may be emitted by the toy lasergun may also be indicated by the LCD 410 as a remaining ammo indicator450. The remaining ammo indicator 450 is any a visual cue to notify theuser of the amount of remaining ammo, nonlimiting examples of whichinclude a bar graph 460 and a numerical representation 470. During TEAMMODE, the health of the user may also be illustrated graphically on theLCD 410. As the user is hit by an opposing player, the HITS graphic 480may decrease, indicating that a direct hit has been registered. Once allof the available HITS 480 have been used up, the user ma be alertedgraphically by a suitable GAME OVER display. It should also be notedthat any of the alerts and representations described above can also beprovided via audio cues. As a nonlimiting example, an intermittent chirpthat increases in regularity could be used to signal decreasing levelsof ammo.

The quantity, duration, and degree of focus of the emitted laser beammay also be altered by selecting a mode 420 from a fire mode selectionswitch 490. A variety of modes 420 have been contemplated. For example,a single shot mode 420 may be selected which causes the laser toy gun400 to fire a single shot when the trigger is squeezed. An activation440, such as an auto mode, has also been contemplated in which the usermay rapidly fire off multiple shots each time the trigger is activated.The auto mode may also be configured to emit bursts or a continuousstream of laser as long as the trigger is suppressed.

(3.2) Toy Gun Barrel

Referring to FIG. 5, a side view illustration of the toy gun barrel 500and collapsed support legs 510 are shown. Typically, the toy gun barrel500 is configured as a snap on barrel attachment. The collapsed supportlegs 510 may be used for extra stability when aiming at moving orstationary targets. To use the collapsed support legs 510, the user maygently rotate 515 the barrel handles 520 and 520′ down until they lockinto position. To return the barrel handles 520 and 520′ to their storedposition, the user may reverse the process by rotating the barrelhandles 520 and 520′ up into the body 510 of the barrel attachment.

To attach the toy gun barrel 500 to the toy gun, the user may slide thetoy gun into the opening 530 found on the barrel attachment 500.Typically the toy gun will slide into the opening 530 to a predeterminedpoint until an audible cue, such as a snap, is heard. The snap indicatesthat the barrel attachment 500 is locked into the proper position. TheIR beam is not be affected by the barrel attachment 500. The IR beam isdesigned to pass through the barrel attachment 500.

To remove the barrel attachment 500, the user may press and hold arelease button 540 (or other suitable release mechanism) and pull thebarrel attachment 300 forward until the barrel attachment 500 isreleased from the toy gun.

(4) Game Settings

To provide a more realistic laser battle amongst users, the laser toygun may be preprogrammed to fire a limited amount of shots before thelaser toy gun is out of ammunition. The laser toy gun includes a RESETmechanism e.g., button A) on the gun (e.g., right side) that may beconfigured to reload the gun. As a nonlimiting example, activation ofthe A button may reload the toy laser gun with a total of 25 laserbursts.

A variety of settings may be selected from in order to increase ordecrease the level of difficulty in winning a game. For example, a lasertoy gun may be limited to the amount of “reloads” during any period.

(5) Laser Game

The laser toy gun may also be equipped with a feature to allow for teamplay. For example, a setting may be selected (e.g., a button may bephysically switched) to allow a user to select from two or more teams.During team mode, for example, a user from one team will not be able toregister direct hits to and/or from members of their own team.

The user versus user feature may be enhanced by a variety ofpreprogrammed sound and light sequences. For example, the user versususer mode may include a limited number of times by which any particularuser may be hit. As a nonlimiting example, a total of direct hits may beregistered by a user before their laser to gun is no longer operational.Upon receiving the predetermined number of direct hits, a sound alertingthe User to the hit may be emitted and accompanied by flashing lights.Similar warning sequences may be programmed alerting the user to everyreceived hit. Alternatively, a warning sequence may be preprogrammed toalert the user once a large proportion of their total available hitshave been used up.

A radar feature may also be incorporated into the gun to enhance theteam battle mode. For example, an audible alarm may alert the user whena member of an opposing team draws near. As one user approaches anotherthe audible alarm may emit a sound to alert the user to the proximity ofan opposing team's member. Such proximity sensing systems can beoperated using any suitable proximity sensing mechanism or device,nonlimiting examples of which include a global positioning system andfrequency proximity sensors. The radar feature may strategically allow auser to avoid a direct hit from an opposing team member while in theopposing team member's kill zone. Alternatively, the radar mode may emitan audible alert indicating a locked on target.

As shown in FIG. 6, the toy laser gun target 600 is an electronic targetdesigned to detect laserlight from a toy laser gun. In one aspect, toylaser gun target 600 is programmed with at least one game for a user toplay with a toy laser gun that requires the user to hit the toy lasergun target 600 at certain points in a specific sequence in order to win.

In another aspect, a multiplicity of users may engage in a game of tag.A toy laser gun is activated by toggling the ON/OFF switch located onthe side of the toy laser gun to the ON position. Alternatively, thelaser toy gun may be RESET by activating the RESET button on the side ofthe laser toy gun. The gun may also be reset by pointing one laser toygun at another and pressing the RESET button. A sound or lightup displaywith flash may be activated to indicate the laser toy gun has beenreset.

The toy laser gun target 600 comprises a target surface 610 supported bya target base 620, as illustrated in FIG. 6. The target surface 610, inone embodiment, is a material (e.g., black acrylic material) that can bebacklit with a plurality of multicolored lights 630 which illuminatedifferent portions of the target surface 610. The black acrylic materialeliminates the need for painted lines on the target surface 610,allowing the lines to be changed by the multicolored lights depending ona game to be played by a user. The multicolored lights 630 can be usedto play a game, such as one that requires hitting only a certain colorof light that appears, or hitting light that appears in a certain order.The target surface 610 also includes a plurality of laserlight sensors640 to detect when a user hits the target surface 610 in a certain areawith a laserlight emitting toy gun.

In one embodiment, the toy laser gun target 600 includes a displayscreen 650 to display information relating to the game, such as a user'sscore or information relating to the accuracy of the user's shots. Thedisplay screen 650, laserlight sensors 640, and multicolored backlights630 are all connected to a controller (not shown) placed inside the tolaser gun target 600. The controller is a processor such as anintegrated circuit (“IC”) chip which controls the game play andregisters shots by a user during game play. The controller also causesthe display screen 650 to display relevant game information during gameplay. The toy laser gun target 600 also includes a power supply to powerthe controller, multicolored lights 630, and the display screen 650during game play. The power supply is any suitable power providingsystem, nonlimiting; examples of which include a battery or converterand/or cord for connecting with an external power source.

In an additional nonlimiting embodiment, a series of gamemode buttons660 are positioned on the target base 610 so a user can select a type ofgame to be played. A variety of games can be played using the toy lasergun target 600, including games for multiple players. The games can allbe programmed into the controller memory, such that activating one ofthe gamemode buttons 660 causes the controller to load and run thespecified game.

In summary, the present invention is a to gun capable of transmitting alaser beam and/or an IR beam of light for use in a game. The toy gunalso has a detector for detecting a laser and IR signal.

What is claimed is
 1. A laserlight target, comprising: a target surface;a plurality of laserlight sensors positioned on the target surface todetect laser light; and a processor to simulate a game for a user toplay with a laserlight emitting gun.
 2. The laserlight target of claim1, further comprising a display screen to display information relatingto the game.
 3. The laserlight target of claim 2, further comprising aplurality of game mode buttons to change the game to be played by auser.
 4. The laserlight target of claim 3, further comprising amulticolored backlight on the target surface to light up portions of thetarget surface during the game.
 5. The laserlight target of claim 1,further comprising a plurality of game mode buttons to change the gameto be played by a user.
 6. The laserlight target of claim 1, furthercomprising a multicolored backlight on the target surface to light upportions of the target surface during the game.